HC Deb 25 July 1991 vol 195 cc724-5W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will now seek to have made available to his Department copies of the environmental audits carried out by companies in Northern Ireland which produce(a) toxic and (b) hazardous and special wastes.

Mr. Needham

Where such audits are carried out by companies in Northern Ireland, it is the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland's intention to seek to have copies made available.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 17 July,Official Report, column 212, on information on environmental impact assessments, if he has obtained copies of the published information referred to for his departmental library.

Mr. Needham

Copies of the published information referred to are not held in the departmental library; they are held by the environment service where they are readily available to officials who may require access to them.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East,Official Report, 17 July, column 212–13, what steps were taken by the councils through whose areas the hazardous waste referred to passed to ensure that it is being transported in accordance with current regulations.

Mr. Needham

The transport of hazardous waste by road in Northern Ireland is subject to the provisions of regulations for which the enforcing authority is the Department of Economic Development.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East,Official Report, 17 July, column 212, if he will list the types of hazardous waste imported into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic in 1988–89 and 1989–90; by what means it was disposed of; and whether those council areas through which it passed monitored its passage within their areas, and its disposal.

Mr. Needham

The information requested is given in the table. In most cases, the substances are chemically treated and sludge wastes which arise as a result of this treatment are landfilled under the close supervision of the relevant district councils. The passage through a district council area is not monitored by district councils.

Substances Method of disposal
Acqueous solution/Suspension of low level pesticides (plant washings). Treated in plant for disposal to landfill in Northern Ireland.
Ammonia corrosive liquid. Treated with sulphuric acid in plant.
Substances Method of disposal
Empty plastic containers of Escadulent material containing Esthyl methacrylate, Hydroxypropyl, Polyurethane, Iscoynate, Acrylic acid. Repacked and sent to England for treatment and disposal.
Cupid acid. Sent to England for re-cycling.
Printed circuit board effluent sludge. Treated in plant and precipitate sent for disposal to landfill in Northern Ireland.
Mercury contaminated waste. Treated in plant—Mercury extracted for re-use.
Copper hydroxide. Sent to England for re-cycling.
Chlorinated solvents. Sent to England for re-cycling.
Non-chlorinated solvents. Sent to England for re-cycling.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will outline the consideration given by any Government Department in Northern Ireland to the EC draft directive on the incineration of hazardous wastes and indicate what consultations there have been between Government officials and the European Commission on the implications of such a directive for any proposals for a hazardous waste incinerator in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Needham

Proposals for a directive on the incineration of hazardous waste have yet to be placed before the European Council, although it is understood that a submission will be made shortly.

Officials in the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland have been kept informed of the details of discussions on the draft directive. Any proposals for a hazardous waste incinerator in Northern Ireland would have to comply fully with emission standards and controls set out in any such new directive.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any Northern Ireland Government Department has been briefed or sought information on the study by the small area health statistics unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on possible links between pollution from waste incinerators and ill health in the community.

Mr. Hanley

The Department of Health and Social Services is represented on the steering committee which oversees the work of the small area health statistics unit. It is therefore aware of all studies being undertaken by the unit.